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Key developments
FERC moves on large-load interconnections
CNBC reported that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members voted unanimously to direct timely and orderly transmission interconnections for AI data centers and other large power users, following a request from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Cryptobriefing reported the related FERC Docket RM26-4-000 targets large loads above 20 MW and signals that data centers may have to bear more direct interconnection and grid-upgrade costs. Datacenter Dynamics' Zachary Skidmore separately reported that Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced the POWER Up Act, which would require FERC rules for large-load facilities of 100 MW or more.
Why it matters
Federal policy is shifting toward faster grid access paired with explicit cost responsibility for data center developers.
Sources & driving stories
CNBC
CNBC coverageCRYPTOBRIEFING
Cryptobriefing coverageDATACENTER DYNAMICS · Zachary Skidmore
Datacenter Dynamics coverageTexas regulators weigh ERCOT batch reviews
ABC13 Houston reported that ERCOT proposed replacing one-at-a-time reviews for large-load interconnection requests with batch evaluations, starting with “Batch Zero” for data center proposals that already have land and financing. ERCOT told regulators its April forecast shows peak load reaching 367,790 MW in 2032, with more than 250,000 MW tied to large-load projects; about 70% of large-load projects in the queue are data centers. KLTV's Emma Kaye reported the Public Utility Commission of Texas was set to vote on the proposal today in Austin.
Why it matters
Texas is trying to separate viable projects from speculative queue entries before data center demand overwhelms planning studies and transmission buildout.
Sources & driving stories
ABC13 HOUSTON
ABC13 Houston coverageKLTV · Emma Kaye
KLTV coverageStates advance data center cost protections
WBOC's Nicole Harmon reported that Delaware's House passed HB 233 and HB 445, sending the bills to the Senate; the package would require large energy-use facilities to pay grid infrastructure and capacity costs and procure or generate 100% of their energy needs within 10 years. Agri-Pulse's Tim Hearden reported California's SB 886 and SB 887 passed the Senate on May 26 and face Assembly hearings June 22 and June 24, with PG&E disclosing a 5.3 GW data center pipeline. Phillips Lytle reported New York's Legislature passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act on June 4, pending Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature, including a one-year DEC approval moratorium for data centers of at least 20 MW and new utility service classifications by 2030.
Why it matters
Multiple states are converging on rules that make data centers pay for infrastructure, energy, and community impacts rather than spreading costs to existing customers.
Sources & driving stories
WBOC · Nicole Harmon
WBOC coverageAGRI-PULSE · Tim Hearden
Agri-Pulse coveragePHILLIPS LYTLE
Phillips Lytle coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Local siting decisions diverge sharply
Fox 5 Las Vegas' Brittany Defran reported Clark County approved Switch's LAS 19 project after public opposition, while KVUE reported San Marcos banned data centers citywide and Spectrum News reported Louisville issued draft hyperscale rules limiting projects by zoning, size, utility-cost impact, noise, and setbacks.
WORTH NOTING
CCS pitched for data-center emissions
The American Chemical Society reported that Hon Chung Lau and Steve C. Tsai modeled U.S. data center power needs rising from 40 GW in 2025 to 169 GW in 2030 and found saline-aquifer carbon storage could mitigate up to 90% of related CO2 emissions with pipeline access.
WORTH NOTING
Climate risk reaches most capacity
CNBC's Diana Olick reported First Street's new analysis of 97 global data center markets found 79% of global capacity faces elevated acute hazards such as flooding, extreme winds, and wildfire.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Can regulators filter real demand quickly?
ERCOT's queue shows hundreds of large-load requests and huge 2032 load forecasts, but officials and market participants warn many projects may be speculative.
OPEN QUESTION
Will cost-causation rules slow deployments?
Federal and state measures increasingly require data centers to pay direct grid, capacity, energy, and community costs, creating a test of whether AI infrastructure can still scale at planned speed.